Miles Starforth

Rafa Benitez’s side went five points clear at the top of the Championship after Saturday’s 3-1 win over Huddersfield Town.

Huddersfield we not happy with my goal, but the ball was there to be won. I don’t know what they are complaining about.

Daryl Murphy

Murphy was on target at the John Smith’s Stadium along with Matt Ritchie and Dwight Gayle.

The striker challenged goalkeeper Danny Ward as he attempted to get the ball under control before finishing through his legs.

“Huddersfield we not happy with my goal, but the ball was there to be won,” said Murphy. “I don’t know what they are complaining about.

“I went for it and took it off the keeper. I was thinking of crossing it, but the goal was open and I chances my arm. Fortunately, it went in.”

And the result put the club 11 points clear of third-placed Huddersfield.

But Murphy insists that Benitez’s players are still not talking about promotion ahead of tomorrow night’s game against Reading.

“There is no talk of promotion inside the dressing room,” said Murphy.

“Of course, we’re now in a very good position. There are a lot of games to go and anything can happen. You can see that with the results every week. So we can’t take anything for granted.

“We have a nice points total, but there are a lot of tough fixtures ahead.

“The manager would not be happy if he heard us talking about playing in the Premier League this season. He keeps hammering home to us that there are a lot of games in April, and that is going to be the key.

Murphy was handed his first start in more than a month at the John Smith’s Stadium, where Gayle was named on the bench by Benitez.

United had just 24% of possession against David Wagner’s side, and it was important for the experienced Murphy, signed from Ipswich Town last summer, to use the ball intelligently when it was played up to him.

And the 33-year-old says he took “a lot of personal satisfaction” from the job he did against Huddersfield.

“I can’t recall a game when we have had so little possession,” said the Republic of Ireland international.

“But in a sense we knew that before kick off. Looking at the stats most teams they play, they dominate possession, so we were prepared for that.

“It’s a tough shift playing that lone striker role, especially when we didn’t have a lot of possession.

“So it’s vital when the ball comes to me I have to hold it up and bring others into the game as much as I can.

“They made it hard for us to close them down at the back, because they passed it so well. We knew we’d get chances and it was a case of taking them.

“There’s a lot of personal satisfaction that I’m scoring some important goals. It is very pleasing because I came here to compete for a place and win things.

“Hopefully, I can do that until the end of the season. It’s nice to know I have played my part.”

Murphy scored at the end holding Newcastle’s 1,900 travelling fans.

“It was a brilliant moment celebrating in front of our fans,” said Murphy. “They have been great for us all season. It’s just showing some appreciation.”

United, having beaten second-placed Brighton and Hove Albion at the Amex Stadium six days ago, are looking to complete an away hat-trick against Reading.

“We are aiming for nine out of nine,” said Murphy.

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